Mount Carmel Home was founded as a country home for children in 1900 by the Brethren in Christ Church.
It was located on the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 10.
Originally it was a 40 acre farm with a 13 room house on it; it was
owned by the Rev. and Mrs. Abraham (Abram) G. Zook.

On March 1, 1900, the home was dedicated. The first orphan arrived in
April from Chicago, to be followed by 11 more from the same city. The
official name of the institution was Mount Carmel Faith Missionary Training Home and
Orphanage but it was commonly called Faith Home for many years.
The name was shortened to Mount Carmel Home and it was taken over as a
project by the Brethren in Christ Conference in 1912. Dedicated workers
labored hard for its success.

The first worker to join Mr. and Mrs. Zook
at the orphanage was Miss May L Donaldson. She was a teacher at the
Franklin School during the term 1899-1900 and remained for the
dedication of the home. The meeting lasted for several days in a tent
across from the newly-opened refuge. Diphtheria broke out and a quarantine
was imposed; it lasted for several weeks. Miss Donaldson remained to
help care for the children. The first year was made more difficult by
the epidemic. One of the children in the home died as did a daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Zook.

There were sensational and unfriendly stories printed
in metropolitan newspapers, which alleged improper care and lack of
the bare necessities. When the motives of the workers became better
understood, there was general support for the home. Many donations from
outside sources were made through the years. The primitive facilities
which were common to country living at the turn of the century were
improved and the home was enlarged. A cement-block school-house was built
south of the home in 1915 and was used by the children until 1940

Starting July 27, 1901, the home published a small newspaper. It was called
Soul Food until July 27, 1912, when the name was changed to Mount Carmel Tidings."

Source: History of Whiteside County - Wayne Bastian Pg 165 (1968)

The 1900 Census for the Orphanage is found on the following link
This link is offsite so you will need to use your back button to return here.
1900 Census Mt Carmel Home

Ten miles northeast of Morrison, in Clyde township, is situated the only private charity in Whiteside. This is Mt. Carmel Faith Missionary Training Home and Orphanage. It is undenominational, and depends upon the promises of God and prayer of faith to supply its needs. Very much in the spirit of Spurgeon's Orphanage in London, Francke's institution at Halle, or George Muller's at Bristol, England. There are forty acres in the property deeded by the generosity of Mr. and Mr?. A. G. Zook. There are several houses for the school proper, besides the buildings for farm purposes. Two wells and some unfailing springs afford an abundant supply of water.

A simple narrative explains the origin of the work. While engaged at the wood pile in 1899, God met Mr. Zook, definitely calling him to yield his property and himself for service. A new move, but the assurance was clear that it was to be a training home for Christian worker.-;. It was soon learned that the earnest laborers in Chicago in this field were overrun with neglected and homeless children. They were praying for relief, and here was their opportunity. On March 1, 1900, the home was opened. The first child was received April 6. In August, 1901, a new step was taken by faith, the editing of a paper. Its name, Soul Food, is significant of its purpose.

From time to time children were brought into the orphanage from Chicago and from surrounding towns. The object of the work is not to put
children into private homes, but to provide proper care and training in the orphanage, and bring up the neglected children in ways that will make them useful Christian men and women. Only children will be accepted who will be allowed to remain till they are eighteen, so that parents may not reclaim them before they are firmly established in right principles. There are three features in the discipline of the young people: the day school, religious instruction, and industrial training. Each day is begun with an hour of
worship.

All are expected to take part in the affairs of the establishment. The boys do the chores, cut the wood, help about the field and garden. Each has a small garden spot to exercise his taste and ability. The girls assist in the household and in the care of the younger children. Good health has been a blessing vouchsafed to the little family. The laws of proper living are observed. The nervous and debilitated children from the city with country air and diet and exercise soon gain appetite, digestion, clear skins and bright eyes.

But more room is an imperative necessity, or the work cannot enlarge. More children cannot be taken because there is no place to receive them. In 1904, the last report, the family consisted of thirty children ranging from two months to fifteen years, all well and active. There are five workers. Very soon a Missionary Training Home is expected to be an active department. There are constant calls for men and "women qualified for evangelistic work, to carry the gospel to darkened minds at home and abroad. The printing press is proving an important factor in the preparation of gospel workers. While setting type the boys are gathering a fund of useful information. A while the farm had been rented but now an overseer in charge provides employment for the lads, and thus an income is secured from the land.

From a booklet of By-laws we glean several items of interest. No salaries are paid to any worker. There must be simplicity of dre. Purity and temperance are demanded in all things. All workers are encouraged to make special study of the Bible, and to spend much time in secret prayer. Punctuality must be observed in rising and retiring, and in attendance at the table. There are only four articles in the simple confession of faith, and this is the second: We believe in a definite work of sanctification by grace, cleansing the heart from all sin, and making the body the temple of the Holy Ghost.

To set forth the needs of the home and the spirit of the institution, a small, three-column paper of four pages is published monthly at Morrison, with A. G. Zook as editor, and A. Myrtle Zook and May L. Donaldson, associate editors. The subscription price is low, and two hundred more patrons are needed to make the journal self-supporting. "Soul Food" is the suggestive title of the paper. No secular topics are discussed, the whole aim being to encourage faith and pious meditation. Bishop Ken's hymn seems to pervade the columns:

Transcribed by Christine Walters
Source: History Whiteside County IL.
From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908
By William W. Davis M.A. The Pioneer Publishing Co.